Description
Students will master the concepts of evolution by natural selection as they become predators in this lab simulation. Many students can recite a definition of natural selection, but they may have trouble visualizing how the process actually works. This lab provides a hands-on, visual activity that clearly shows natural selection in action. Further, this activity allows students to gather quantitative data to show that a population changes over time. This activity will show students that the environment selects those organisms for survival that possess certain traits and characteristics that make them best suited for their particular environment. This lab can be used during your lessons on evolution and natural selection, coloration and camouflage, and predator/prey relationships.
What is included in this product??
- 7-Page Editable Student Lab Handout
- 3-Page Teacher Guide with tips and instructions
- 8-Page Detailed Teacher Answer Key
Purpose of the Lab:
- Simulate how the environment, through natural selection, determines the survival of certain members of a population.
- Collect quantitative data on the survival rates of individuals in a population over several generations, and construct graphs to show the results.
- Compare the survival rates of individuals in two different artificial environments.
This lab is very easy to set up and very easy to clean up. No fancy materials are required, and yet, I find this to be one of the best labs that I use with my biology students. Students will carry out a simulation where they are the predators upon a prey species population containing individuals of 10 phenotypes. The lab requires that the students carry out the simulation for 5 generations to observe the effects of natural selection in an artificial habitat.
Students will collect quantitative data, graph their results, and answer thought provoking/problem solving questions. This lab is perfect for reinforcing critical thinking skills.
This lab is appropriate for students in grades 8 - 12. The experiment and collection of data is easily completed by students in these grades. The differentiation in ability levels comes in the analysis questions. For younger students, it may be necessary to omit some of the analysis questions. Student handouts are completely editable to meet your needs.
I use this lab when teaching my unit on Evolution. It is the perfect activity to use with my PowerPoint and Notes on Evolution.
Materials required for this lab:
- 10 sheets of colored paper: Black, white, red, blue, yellow, green, tan, brown, purple, orange.
- Hole Punch
- 10 small containers to hold paper dots
- Two (1 meter x 1 meter) fabric squares
- Graph paper
Related Products Include:
Darwin's Theory of Evolution PowerPoint and Notes
Darwin's Diary: The Tale of Evolution
Evolution Color By Number Activity
Theory of Evolution Task Cards
Theory of Evolution Homework and Study Guide Packet
Evolution Lab: Variation in a Population
Evolution Quizzes: Set of 2 Quizzes
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Description
Students will master the concepts of evolution by natural selection as they become predators in this lab simulation. Many students can recite a definition of natural selection, but they may have trouble visualizing how the process actually works. This lab provides a hands-on, visual activity that clearly shows natural selection in action. Further, this activity allows students to gather quantitative data to show that a population changes over time. This activity will show students that the environment selects those organisms for survival that possess certain traits and characteristics that make them best suited for their particular environment. This lab can be used during your lessons on evolution and natural selection, coloration and camouflage, and predator/prey relationships.
What is included in this product??
- 7-Page Editable Student Lab Handout
- 3-Page Teacher Guide with tips and instructions
- 8-Page Detailed Teacher Answer Key
Purpose of the Lab:
- Simulate how the environment, through natural selection, determines the survival of certain members of a population.
- Collect quantitative data on the survival rates of individuals in a population over several generations, and construct graphs to show the results.
- Compare the survival rates of individuals in two different artificial environments.
This lab is very easy to set up and very easy to clean up. No fancy materials are required, and yet, I find this to be one of the best labs that I use with my biology students. Students will carry out a simulation where they are the predators upon a prey species population containing individuals of 10 phenotypes. The lab requires that the students carry out the simulation for 5 generations to observe the effects of natural selection in an artificial habitat.
Students will collect quantitative data, graph their results, and answer thought provoking/problem solving questions. This lab is perfect for reinforcing critical thinking skills.
This lab is appropriate for students in grades 8 - 12. The experiment and collection of data is easily completed by students in these grades. The differentiation in ability levels comes in the analysis questions. For younger students, it may be necessary to omit some of the analysis questions. Student handouts are completely editable to meet your needs.
I use this lab when teaching my unit on Evolution. It is the perfect activity to use with my PowerPoint and Notes on Evolution.
Materials required for this lab:
- 10 sheets of colored paper: Black, white, red, blue, yellow, green, tan, brown, purple, orange.
- Hole Punch
- 10 small containers to hold paper dots
- Two (1 meter x 1 meter) fabric squares
- Graph paper
Related Products Include:
Darwin's Theory of Evolution PowerPoint and Notes
Darwin's Diary: The Tale of Evolution
Evolution Color By Number Activity
Theory of Evolution Task Cards
Theory of Evolution Homework and Study Guide Packet
Evolution Lab: Variation in a Population
Evolution Quizzes: Set of 2 Quizzes
For updates about sales and new products, please follow my store:






